Mineral production during December 2007

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The mineral production from mining and quarrying sector in December 2007 increased by 4.48 per cent as compared to that of the preceding month.

Similarly the mineral sector has shown a positive growth of 4.84 per cent during the current financial year from April-December 2007 as compared to that of the previous year.

The mineral production in December 2007 was also higher by 3.01 per cent as compared to that of the corresponding month of previous year.

The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic and minor minerals) in the country during December 2007 was Rs 7943 crore. The contribution of coal was the highest at Rs 3498 crore (44 per cent).

Next in the order of importance were petroleum (crude) Rs 1605 crore, iron ore Rs 1294 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs 796 crore, lignite Rs 186 crore and limestone Rs 181 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95 per cent of the total value of mineral production in December 2007.

The production of copper conc. maintained the level of preceding month. Whereas the production of limestone decreased 1.39 per cent, dolomite 2.44 per cent, chromite 8.40 per cent and bauxite 14.42 per cent, said an official release issued here today.